Discussion

Where to eat near BAM?

Going to a Saturday matinee performance of Richard III at BAM, and wondering where my husband and I could grab a bite afterwards.

Not familiar with the area and plan on parking near the theater. Somewhere within walking distance would be preferred. But if we need to drive slightly that's ok too. It's a long production, we'll be tired and we have a long ride back, so it's not time for a major dinner, just something casual and delicious. I'm not wild about driving and then eating in Manhattan on this trip.

Budget is not a concern. We don't eat seafood. Thanks for any suggestions!

I have heard really off putting things about Cafe Lafayette though, people like their burger.. I know nothing about Caffe e' Vino and Sneakeater has mentiond that Berlyn has a new Chef at the helm.

There is also Walter's very near by. In walking distance, well that is relative..I mean, Franny's is one of a kind restaurant and it's wonderful.. So, I would suggest that.. It's a quick drive and it's awesome.. So,it would be hard to not recommend Franny's to everyone.

No 7 is another nice place in walking distance to BAM and there is Roman's and there is Dino's, all of these are not as good as Franny's IMO.

Taro Sushi is really nice and in the area but, opens at 5 on Saturdays..

Then you have Sotto Casa which is on Atlantic which is a really nice place for traditional pizza and the chickpea tuna salad.. Though, Franny's has amazing pizza, especially their clam pizza.

You also have Cafe Catania which you can go for coffee and Baba Rum after Sotto Casa.

Saraghina is a wonderful place that you will have to drive to. Check the time when it opens.

You could also go to Char No. 4, or Prime Meats after the show at Bam..

Or, what I like to do is walk to Der Shvartz Kolner, drink some German Beer, get a gouda, pickle and a sausage plate and call it a day.

I also love Locanda Vini e Olii, which is right down the street from BAM.. It's in this old Drug Store and it's like being transported into this Italian Restaurant.. The clientele, the staff and owners, and most importantly the chef are all straight from Italy.. Really interesting wine list mainly Sicilian and dishes that you I have not seen anywhere else..

I've had a couple of very nice meals at Caffe e'Vino before BAM performances. It's charming and the food is really good. Crowded, and sometimes difficult to get a table but maybe OK at 5:30. And it's very close to BAM - a long block away - maybe just the ticket on a chilly night!

There are a number of good places in Park Slope, right nearby - depends what time the show gets out. Convivium Osteria is within walking distance, though that might be a heartier meal than you're looking for. Further down 5th Ave are Blue Ribbon Brooklyn, Bonnie's Grill (solid burgers), and Los Pollitos II (unfancy cheap but decent Mexican) - that's just off the top of my head, but there are a ton of restaurants on 5th.

If it were me, I would be looking for places in Fort Greene where I didn't need to cross Atlantic or Flatbush. There are certainly some decent places that are a *short* walk from BAM.

No 7, as someone mentioned.Berlyn, which is practically next doorStonehome Wine Bar, which is good.Smoke Joint, for BBQ.OleaDer Schwarze Kolner (sp?), more of a german beer hall with some snacky foods.an Ethiopian place I can remember the name of.

And lots more I can't remember at the moment.

If you're going to get in your car, I highly recommend Colonie, as they have small plates and you can get just as much as you're hungry for.

I guess the only reason I said that is because "walking distance" is fairly subjective. The only way for someone to get from BAM to park slope or Flatbush Ave involves a fairly unpleasant walk around Atlantic Terminal Mall and the construction site that is Atlantic Yards. Basically anything across Atlantic and/or Flatbush is going to be a 20 minute walk, at least.

It's not that I have anything against crossing Atlantic/Flatbush/Fourth avenues, but from BAM there's nothing that I would suggest to a total stranger that I would consider "walking distance." Sure, one could walk to Franny's from there. One could walk from BAM to Rucola, Colonie, Sottocasa, and Saul as well. But it's a bit of a hike.

Gotta disagree on that. To get to a nearer spot in Park Slope - say, Convivium Osteria, or anything in that area of 5th Ave - would take 10 minutes, tops. And that'd involve crossing BOTH Atlantic and Flatbush.

this performance is at the BAM Harvey Theater down on Fulton Street. Convivium is one of the closeer places in Park Slope admittedly - but it probably would be a bit longer than 10 min walk, with Frannys more than 15.. Driving to one of these destinations would not be practical because parking in the area is hard to find.

Sadly for a Chowhound, either eating close to the theater on the Fort Greene side or maybe getting in the car and driving somewhere in the direction of home (CT?) where street parking is not so impacted (even say Williamsburg, Woodside for Sripraphi or Astoria) might be the best solution

Stonehome Wine Bar and Restaurant, just a few blocks away, has excellent food, a well-thought-out wine list and a friendly and relaxed yet classy atmosphere. The chef there,John Gibson, is an under-the-radar star.